Surviving Parents Join Forces
Mar 07, 2007
The Jessica Lunsford murder trial is ending in Florida,but a long-awaited parents'
coalition is emerging from it to demand action in Washington.
Jessica's father Mark Lunsford, the trucker who has been fighting for stronger laws to protectchildren, is joining forces with other parents to demand a national War on Child Predators.
Among the first to join forces with Lunsford are Erin Runnion, Patty Wetterling, Ed Smart,Colleen Nick and Rebecca DeMauro and Magi and John Bish. Others are mobilizing
daily. PROTECT has offered this independent coalition its full support and we will post breaking newsupdates here as we get them.
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Governor Crist: My Thoughts and Prayers Are With Mark Lunsford and Family Posted Mar 7, 2007by Howard Altman Updated Mar 7, 2007 at 04:44 PM
4:39 p.m.
Governor Charlie Crist makes a statement about the Couey conviction:
“My thoughts and prayers are with my friend Mark Lunsford and his family. We saw our justice system at work today as John Couey was convicted for his heinous crimes against one of Florida’s children. This verdict is one step closer to justice for Jessica Lunsford and so many others who were taken too early in their lives.
“Today the Florida Senate passed the Anti-Murder Act and the Cyber crimes Against Children Bill. I applaud the Senate and look forward to Florida House taking up these critical pieces of legislation which I will swiftly sign into law. When it comes to protecting Florida’s children, there is no time to waste.
“I made a promise to Mark Lunsford and millions of other Floridians to do everything I can to protect our children from violence. I take this promise and my responsibility seriously. We will not violated the privilege of probation to remain on our streets and in our neighborhoods preying on our children. We must remain vigilant in the fight to prevent crimes against Florida’s children."
Initial results from State of Florida on convictions under the Jessica Lunsford Act:
From the Department of Corrections:
"As of February 9, 2007, our data indicate there have been 28 offenders sentenced to the prison under 800.05(5)(b)(Lewd or Lascivious Molestation / victim under 12 / offender 18 or older) with an offense date on or after September 1, 2005. The median prison sentence was 13 years (including 2 life sentences). There were also 8 supervision sentences for this offense.
As a comparison,inmates admitted to prison for this offense state fiscal year 2004-2005 (before the Act) had a median sentence length of just over 6 years.
As of February 9, 2007 there were 52 inmates in prison sentenced under the Jessica Lunsford Act (requiring electronic monitoring when released), and 341 offenders on supervision."
more info
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FLORIDA 2005 SESSION LAW SERVICE
Nineteenth Legislature, First Regular Session
Chapter 2005-28
H.B. No. 1877
SEX OFFENSES--REGISTRATION--JESSICA LUNSFORD ACT
more info
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The following are the official upcoming JML Foundation events:
The Annual Jessie’s Ride is coming up make you plans to be there.
The JML Foundation is an IRS recognized 501(c)3 - charitable organization. All donations are tax deductable upon request.
Mark Lunsford's Schedule:
Currently working hard following up on Jessica's Law.
Please show Mark your support and donate to the JMLFoundation.com
Jessica's Law Now Calls on Action From North Carolina Legislature
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RALEIGH, N.C., April 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a
statement from Jessica's Law Now North Carolina, and Washington, D.C.-based
Stop Child Predators:
Concerned citizens have banded together to make a stand with Mark
Lunsford at "Legislative Day" on Wednesday, April 25 at the State Capitolin Raleigh . Their mission is to facilitate the passage of House Bill 933,
The Jessica Lunsford Act, for North Carolina.
"Efforts by the public to pass this bill could be in vain if the House
Judiciary II Committee, led by Representative Dan Blue (D-Wake), chooses to
prevent the measure from reaching the floor of the North Carolina House of
Representatives," said Mark Palmer, Jessica's Law Now North Carolina.
"We are calling on Judiciary II Committee Chairman Blue and the other
members of the committee to not let another year pass without passing this
most important law," said Palmer. "Last year, this same committee, led by
now-vice chairman Jennifer Weiss (D-Wake) killed a similar measure [HB
1921] that would have protected the children of North Carolina from sexual
predators."
Mr. Lunsford, who will speak at the Legislative Day rally, is the
father of the late Jessica Lunsford, the namesake of "Jessica's Law," which
mandates minimum sentences of 25 years' imprisonment and lifetime
electronic monitoring of adults convicted of lewd or lascivious acts
against victims younger than 12 years of age.
Nine-year-old Jessica was abducted from her Homosassa, Fla. home on the
night of February 23, 2005 by convicted sex offender John Evander Couey,
who repeatedly sexually assaulted her over the next three days before
stuffing her in garbage bags and burying her alive in a shallow grave
behind his home. A Florida jury convicted Couey of these crimes in March.
Joining Jessica's Law Now North Carolina in urging passage of HB 933
are the North Carolina Sheriffs Association, Alamance County Commissioners,
the 6th District Congressional Convention, Concerned Women for America , the
Child Protection Coalition of North Carolina and 12,600 registered voters
who have signed a petition endorsing the measure.
"More than 10,000 registered sex offenders move to new addresses or
jobs daily," said Stacie Rumenap, executive director, Stop Child Predators.
" North Carolina should join the growing list of states that have taken
steps to protect children from these dangerous predators."
Stop Child Predators is a non-profit organization based in Washington ,
D.C. The organization is dedicated to the establishment of penalty enhancements for those found guilty of committing sexual offenses against children; the implementation of an effective and efficient nationwide sex offender registry; and the protection of the rights of crime victims.
For more information, contact SCP at (202) 234-0090 or online at http://www.stopchildpredators.org/.
or Mark Palmer "Jessica’s Law Now North Carolina" at (704) 641-6104 or online at
http://jessicaslawnownc.spaces.live.com/
SOURCE Jessica's Law Now North Carolina ; Stop Child Predators
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